David Walliams has said he "almost lost sight" of his comedy career ahead of his first sketch show since Little Britain ended eight years ago.

Walliams made a name for himself alongside Matt Lucas in the BBC One comedy and has since written children's books, swum the English Channel for Sport Relief and appeared as a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

On his return to comedy with new sketch show Walliams And Friend, he told the Radio Times: " The problem with being successful is that you get all these other opportunities.

"Suddenly you're in danger of becoming a celebrity at large and you've lost sight of what it is you wanted to do.

"There's nothing like getting back to what I wanted to do in the first place - which is comedy."

Walliams And Friend sees the comedian joined by a different celebrity each week playing a number of characters in a series of sketches. The new series follows a one-off special with Joanna Lumley that aired last year.

Among those starring in the show will be comedians Harry Enfield, Meera Syal and Jack Whitehall and actresses Sheridan Smith and Miranda Richardson.

A Christmas episode will also feature Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville who "threw himself into everything", Walliams, 45, said.

"(He) didn't mind making himself look stupid. We've got him in the Christmas special because he'll appeal to people like my mum," the comedian added.

The full interview is in this week's Radio Times, on sale from November 15.